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World Cup countdown

The clock's ticking to the start of the 2014 World Cup and it's now just 22 weeks to kick-off. It might sound like a long time but it really isn't. With that in mind, Sky Sports goes around the globe to get the best news, views and opinion on the road to Rio...

Last Updated: 16/01/14 1:43pm

People Power

FIFA president Sepp Blatter this week expressed his concern about the possibility of a repeat of the mass public protests that marred last summer's Confederations Cup in Brazil. This time, rather than causing controversy, Blatter is well within his rights to reveal such apprehension, with football's pinnacle in danger of major disruption.

The FIFA president's comments come as the construction of new stadia has missed yet another deadline, adding to his ever-decreasing confidence in this summer's showpiece going to plan.

Sky Bet Say...

England have a history of succumbing to penalty shoot-out defeats when it comes to major international tournaments, and Sky Bet offer 8/1 on that familiar story repeating itself in Brazil. The Three Lions, who are 28/1 outsiders to win the World Cup, are 10/1 to get knocked out in extra-time, but they are just 6/5 not to even get out of their group.

Meanwhile, now that Theo Walcott is unlikely to recover from injury in time to travel to Brazil, there is a spare spot on the plane and Sky Bet are taking bets on who will make the final 23-man squad. Walcott was a shoo-in at 1/10 before betting was suspended upon his injury, and his club team-mate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, has since been trimmed from 5/2 to 2/1.

Raheem Sterling's recent form has seen him come in from 12/1 to 2/1 to make the cut, while Ashley Young has also enjoyed a return to form and is now just 4/1 to be on the plane. Of the outsiders, Stewart Downing is a big price at 16/1, but Sky Bet have seen plenty of money on Ravel Morrison getting the call - he is now 6/1 having been 12/1 at the start of the season.